Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, the characters go with their respective creators of diamond no ace and I do not claim ownership of the characters or the world. English is not my first language so I do apologize for spelling/grammatical errors, Thank you!
Chapter 37
Miyuki was grinning behind his catcher's mask, as he looked at Sawamura whose full attention was only on him. Inashiro's 7th batter on second base seems to have also taken a far lead, however as he was flexing his fingers, he does not feel worried but instead; he had never felt this relax in a finals game. Miyuki slightly glimpse towards Inashiro's 8th batter, as he recalled he had his stats memorized when Nabe gave them the data. Ok… if they are still targeting your slower fastball… then should we say hi using this pitch? Miyuki smiled on the evil thought as he gave the sign for Sawamura's changeup.
Eijun smiled widely noticing the evil look on his captain's eyes. He nod in agreement at the same time he did a quick look towards Inashiro's dugout and noticed Itsuki was looking at him intently making his smile reach his ears. Let us see how far I can go… Watch me Itsuki as I take you on your strategy… Eijun thought happily, at the same time he returned his attention back to his captain. He took a deep breath in and did his pitching windup. The moment he released the ball, he noticed the batter making a hard swing on the lower end of the plate, however since the pitch was a change-up the timing of the swing was off that the ball landed on Miyuki's mitt easily.
"Strike!" the umpire yelled, at the same time the Inashiro's 7th batter Yabe immediately returned back to second base as he noticed the deadly glare of Miyuki looking straight at him the moment he tried to make a steal for 3rd base. What the hell is going on… something is different… Yabe thought nervously as he immediately turn his gaze towards their dugout and noticed a shocked reaction from the players including that of Tadano. Itsuki on another hand was surprised, he was not expecting that the first pitch would be a breaking ball, and worst of all it was even a changeup. He knew something was off the moment that Seido had taken a longer time out at the same time he did notice the tension between Eijun and their captain, but with that pitch, it was as if nothing happened. What are you planning Eijun… Itsuki thought seriously as he gave the sign to be ready for Sawamura's slower fastball either on the second or third pitch. He watched as Jinguuji tap his bat on his hat as if acknowledging the sign he gave.
Miyuki was grinning like a Cheshire cat. The changeup was perfect, and it landed directly on his mitt directly to the position he wanted it. Damn it… why have I not noticed this… Sawamura's ball control is on the dot… I cannot get enough of this… Miyuki thought happily as he noticed the batter grip on the bat loosening. Now let us see how you would handle this… as Miyuki slightly move towards the inner plate, giving the sign for number 7.
Eijun nod happily as he noticed the sign being given. Seems like cap is on full throttle huh… well this is what I have always wanted to in the first place… your aggressive call and difficult plate positioning. Catch this Miyuki sempai… Eijun though as he did his windup and threw his improved cutter in full force. As the batter did make a swing, the ball suddenly disappeared in front of him at the same time a loud sound of a ball landing on a mitt was heard. "Strike!" the umpire yelled, making Jinguuji turn in confusion, at the same time he saw the ball directly on Miyuki's mitt. Damn it… it's his cutter… that is two breaking ball…
No ball 2 strikes were the count, and Miyuki was enjoying the game. He could notice the confusion on Inashiro's 8th batter at the same time their 7th batter is stuck on second base. He took a deep breath as he threw the ball back towards Sawamura, "Nice pitch Sawamura!" he called out at the same time Sawamura nodding in full agreement grinning and easily catching the thrown ball. Now… let us totally destroy your offense… Miyuki thought as he crouched back down and gave the sign for his number 9.
Ehhh… are you sure about this Miyuki sempai? Another breaking ball? Eijun looked at Miyuki seriously however he could notice the evil grin behind his catcher's mask.
It will be fine Sawamura… since they have been targeting your fastballs… let us show them your versatility at the same time it is not just your fastball that Inashiro should be wary about… Miyuki thought as if answering Sawamura curious glance.
Eijun smiled and nod in agreement to his catchers sign. This is different… is this how the main battery should work? As Eijun did his windup he suddenly had a glimpse that the one sitting in the catcher's position was none other than Tohru, at the same time he released his pitch, he watched as the ball sailed directly towards the plate and as the batter made a swing, the ball made a break down totally missing the bat and landing directly in Miyuki Kazuya's mitt. "Strike! Batter out!", the moment the umpire yelled those words Seido's cheers and band went on a uproar.
"It was a strike out! Inashiro's 8th Batter was taken out by three breaking balls! How will Inashiro retaliate with Seido's offense!" the announcer yelled out on the speaker further fueling Seido's cheers.
"Miyuki is truly an evil person… I am sure of it now…" Masuko commented making Chris smile from ear to ear.
They are now forming a real champion battery huh… Chris thought as he could hear his friends talking about the bullish ways in Miyuki's game calling.
"How would you handle this Chris?" Tetsu asked curiously as he noticed a longing smile on his friends face.
Chris looked at Tetsu, who was looking at him intently, "I would most likely asked a few breaking balls, and at least try a few fastballs on the outer plate to test the waters of Inashiro's batter" Chris answered honestly.
"Ahhh… so you would be asking for Sawamura to throw some balls here and their huh…" Ryosuke inquired as he heard his two friends talking seriously.
"Yes… but then again… Miyuki's game calling is different than mine. He made sure to stop Inashiro's batter in building their momentum. Despite having a runner in a scoring position, he did not falter in his game calling." Chris could again feel the longing on being in the field as he watched his juniors championship game.
"Yeah… and Sawamura did not fail to respond to Miyuki's call…" Tetsu commented feeling proud on how Sawamura had totally changed from his first year days.
Ryosuke sighed, even though Miyuki's strategy was effective it was still nerve wracking. He had known that Miyuki Kazuya was an aggressive catcher, but meeting a pitcher that would easily blend into Miyuki's personality and game calling with no complain was rare. "I wonder how the fielders are feeling right now…" as he focus towards his younger brother on second base and Kuramochi who was in all smiles.
"Two out!"
"Two out!"
Eijun was showing a two out sign as he was grinning widely on top of the mound. I don't want this moment to end… Eijun thought as he looked around his teammates all giving the sign for the two out. The moment he turn to look at their captain he noticed that Miyuki was showing a two out sign at the same time nodding once before crouching back to his position. Eijun took in deep breaths as Inashiro's 9th batter was stepping in the batters box. Ok… this is not yet over… we still have a runner on second base… two outs… one runner… the next pitch would be vital… Eijun concentrated directly towards Miyuki who then gave a sign for his number 4 in the out high portion of the plate.
I wont let you people get what you want… we will go back to Koshien… Ezaki thought seriously as he focus towards Seido's ace. He watched as Sawamura did his wind up… Is he gonna throw a break ball… or perhaps a fastball? Is it inside or outside… Ezaki was on that thought when Eijun released his pitched, and as Ezaki decided it was a breaking ball, he made a late swing totally missing the ball thus landing on Miyuki's mitt spot on. "Strike!" as the umpire made the call, Ezaki was starting to get frustrated. He turn to look at Tadano and noticed a sign to take a breather, however right now he was feeling overwhelmed. This guy is different from last year... Itsuki… I don't think our original plan would work… they figured us out… he thought dejectedly as he look at Sawamura bitterly.
This is rare… since when did Sawamura emit the presence of an overwhelming pitcher? Miyuki thought seriously, as he noticed Sawamura's intense concentration. What else are you hiding from the team Sawamura? Miyuki was positive that Sawamura's development was not just because of his numbers, but there was an additional factor in play and this time he was listening to his gut feeling. He turn to look at the runner who was still stuck on second base, and honestly speaking he wanted that runner gone. He gave sign for his number two a bit in the inner low portion of the plate, where Sawamura did a quick nod. He watched as Eijun did his windup and the moment the ball was released, Inashiro's batter made a swing but due to the difficult positioning in the plate, the ball was grounded on the foul line. "Foul!" the umpired called at the same time "Damn it!"… Miyuki could clearly hear the frustrated remark from the batter as the Inashiro runner was not making any more plays to move to third base. Hmmm… so they don't intend to make a steal huh… well I thought as much… since not everyone is as fast as Carlos… Miyuki then gave a sign for a outlow fastball, but not just his ordinary fastball but his newest fastball pitch – the slower fastball, the three spin fastball.
Eijun was a bit surprised seeing the new sign, but for some reason he knew in his gut what Miyuki was asking of him. He and Miyuki never talked about a new sign, but since he usually throws his slower fastball in the lower portion of the plate he could guess that Miyuki sempai had made up the sign on the spot and is now asking him if he could throw in that tight corner of the plate. Eijun nod excitedly as his focus was not fading. He did a quick glimpse on Inashiro's 7th batter who was stuck on second base and notice that the latter does not seem to make any aggressive plays. Ehhh… and here I thought you guys were going to try to reach third at least… I guess not everyone is aggressive as I thought they should be… as Eijun could remember in his BJ practice games, runners tend to always try to make a steal any chance they get. Eijun eyes returned back towards Miyuki who was watching him closely, then it hit him that it was not because runners are not aggressive, they are careful because his captain was giving them the death glare. So this is what Hero sempai mean… taking advantage of someone's weakness huh… as Eijun took a deep breath in and do his pitching windup, I know you will catch this Miyuki sempai… and as if on cue he released the ball throwing it directly towards Miyuki's mitt.
Ezaki was already frustrated that he did not notice the change in the fastball speed, and held the bat tightly. The moment he saw the ball was released, he made a swing but the moment the ball was hit it was grounded to the foul line. "Foul!" the umpire called, at the same time Ezaki look at Eijun who seems to be looking down on him on top of the mound. Wait… don't tell me… was that his slower fastball… at the same time he turn to look up the score board and noticed a 131 mph speed. What the hell am I doing… I lost the chance to make a decent hit… Ezaki then turn to look at their dugout and notice a solemn look from Tadano but a killer look from Narumiya. Damn it… I need to focus more… but as he look at Sawamura he notice an intense building pressure suffocating him just from the golden eyes staring back at him.
I see… so that is how that pitch works… I cannot get enough of this… Miyuki was getting excited. At first he was a bit worried when he asked for Sawamura's slower fastball after all he was told that Inashiro's batter were targeting that pitch, but he predicted if he put it in the right position then that pitch would be a sure grounded ball and it did not fail. If the batter was swinging a bit stronger then it would be hit directly back towards Sawamura. That is an evil kind of fastball huh… I wonder how we could hit it… I should ask Sawamura about it after and try letting him pitch towards me… Miyuki looked at Inashiro's batter and noticed the tension that was building, is he being overwhelmed by Sawamura… at the same time Miyuki look up towards Sawamura and did notice that his pitcher's focus could easily choke out a batters resolve. Interesting… this is getting more interesting as the game progress… he thought sheepishly. He immediately positioned his mitt on the dead center of the plate, at the same time asked for Sawamura's pure spin fastball.
Eijun nod in agreement the moment he saw the sign for his pure spin fastball. He droped the resin bag he was holding, and did a quick look towards Inashiro's runner who still seems to stay put in second base. Let us do this Miyuki sempai… Eijun thought as he turn his gaze back towards his catcher. He slowly did his windup and threw his pure spin fastball, however the moment he did the front step, Sawamura noticed that his front feet made a bit of slip before releasing the pitch. Owh crap… Eijun thought nervously as he watched the ball sailed towards the stretch moving towards Miyuki's mitt.
Miyuki noticed that Sawamura made a bit of slip on his step up before releasing the pitch, thus he expected the ball would be sailing slightly away from the target plate but as he slightly move to intercept the pitch, he noticed a bat cleanly blocking the ball hitting it far left. "Left!" Miyuki called out, as the ball sailed up towards left field. Ezaki made a dash towards first base, however they noticed that Asou was running full speed to catch the pitch. The moment that the ball was dropping down, Asou skillfully catch the falling ball landing directly to his mitt, at the same time he did not noticed that a wall was right infront of him resulting to a collision on the wall head on.
"Asou sempai!" Eijun yelled the moment he saw his senior face hit the wall.
"Asou!" Shirasu yelled as he immediately dash towards his teammate.
The umpire immediately move towards the injured player, at the same time he noticed Asou raising his mitted hand showing that he was holding the ball cleanly. "Out! Batter out!" the umpire yelled at the same time they took an injury timeout.
"You have to be kidding me… he was able to catch that long hit?" Narumiya was fuming at the same time the other players were all looking out towards the field as a group of medical people were putting Seido's left fielder on a stretcher. "We could have taken at least 2 runs from that pitch!" Narumiya complained, but Itsuki attention was more towards Sawamura.
He slip… he made a slip… yet Seido was able to back him up…Itsuki fisted his free hand as he watched Eijun and a few Seido players making a fuss towards their teammate who was being rolled in the Seido dugout. I was under the impression that BJ is the only team who could be able to fully back you up Eijun… Are you pulling you team in your on pace… Itsuki was not liking what he was feeling right now, as he could hear Mei irritation flaring up.
"Tadano… it is our turn for offense… I need you to focus on the game…" coach Kunitomo ordered as he noticed Itsuki depressive look out on the mound.
"Itsuki… you ok?" Carlos asked curiously as he noticed the latter responding late from their coach call.
"I don't want to loose Carlos san… especially to Seido…" Itsuki said in full determination getting Mei's attention as well as the other players.
Mei was about to make a snide comment however he noticed a different look from his catcher which made him shut his mouth. What is going on Itsuki… Mei thought as their coach was already giving instructions on the fielders. "Mei… I need you to focus… this is the last inning…" Coach Kunitomo informed catching Mei's full attention. "Yes sir! I have always been focused!" he complained as he walked out towards the mound.
"Tadano…" Coach Kunitomo called out before Itsuki could be able to leave the dugout. "We are on the final inning…I need you to pull out Narumiya's true ability on the mound"
Itsuki turn to look at their coach seriously, at the same time nodding in agreement.